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2 sheets-sheet 2.

(No Model.)-

TgRoGBRS. IRON FENGB.

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I TIMOTHY ROGERS, OF. SPRINGFIELD, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE ROGER-S FENCE COMFANY, OF SAME PLACE.

.iRoN FENCE.

SPECIFICATION forming` part of Letters Patent No. 293,673, dated February 19, 1884.

Application filed March 24, 1583. (No modeh- Y I Y To all whom z3 may concern/.- Be it known that I, TIMOTHY Roenes, a

. citizen of the United States, residing at Spring rield, in the county of Clarke and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Iron Fen ces; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of Athis specification.

My invention relates -to improvements in iron fences. p

My invention relates to that class of iron fences in which a double rail is employed and the pickets are pivoted between them. The pickets are, provided with means to prevent vertical displacement, and are pivoted in such manner as to allow of an entire panel of fence being readily adjusted by a single movement.

The object of my invention is to provide a ready adjustment of an entire panel of fence at atime, after it hasbeen put together, thereby dispensing with the slow process of adjusting it to-grade in separate pieces while putting it up. To accomplish this, I construct my fence in entire panels at the shop, ready to be set up, connecting the members of the same so that each one may be allowed to assume its 'edges of the clip-band on either side of the inserted `rame-bar of the ornament.

By this mode of construction any lateral movement of the* picket or its ornament is prevented, and each of the members of the fence is retained in its position relative to the others.

Another object of my invention is to provide the various connections of rails and posts with ready means for conforming to the movements of the fence panel, as a whole, in Aadj usting itv to grade.

vide for the Asupport of the fence by a linepost extending across the fence-line and supported equally from both sides, and having` the rails of the panels'connected with this post by a cross-tie plate, which connects the uprights of the post together and supports them,

Sheet 2, with Figs. 3 to 13, inclusive.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a side elevation of an entire fence-panel adjusted to an inclined grade, and having my improvements applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a top view of the same' with the picket-heads removed. Fig. 3 is a View of a line-post (above the ground-line) with a picket on either side of the' same. Fig. 4 is a side view of a line-post and its connections with one of lthe pickets. The post is shown broken apart near the ground-line. Figs. 5 and 6 are front and side views of the ornament, the picket -rod and rails being shown in dotted lines. Fig. 7 is a top view of the cross-tie-plate connection of the line`-post. Fig. 8 is a vertical section of the same through 9 is a view of a detachable clip-band, which is used to replace one ofthe fixed clip -bands when broken. Fig. 10 is an inside view of a railconnection or splicing-band. Fig. 11 is an enlargedvew of the endof one ofthe crossbraces of the post, with an' interior view of one section of the clamp-plate in which it is inserted and by which it is attached to the post. Fig. 12 is a detail view of the picket-rods and of the lexibleconnection or coupling a.

In the construction of this fence the linedistance apart to receive the pickets between them.V These latter are notched upon their op.-v

rails are square, and are placed a sufficientv Another object of my invention is to prof" and at the same time clamps the rail-ends ication-Sheet 1, with Figures 1 and 2; and

line x, Fig. 7 looking from left to right. Fig.

rails. Fig. 13 is a side view of a section, 14, I'

posite angles, which notches engage with the inner angles of the rails. The notches in the pickets are for thepurpose of allowing the rails to move radially therein in adjusting the panel to grade, as well as to prevent the vertical displacement of the picket. As the angles of the rails are presented to the picket, and `engage with the notches in the latter, upon both sides, the pivotal connection of the two is rendered much more complete, and the ad- `pistment is more readily made of the several members 'of the fence to grade. In the inclination given to the rails, as shown in Fig. 1, the circular frame of theornamentl to each of the pickets bears against the clip 12, between the two sprockets or prongs 5, as the latter is moved upon the ornament-frame by the inclination of the rails.

To provide for any possible degree of inelination given the felice-panel, a swiveled or pivotal connect-ion is made with the terminal and line posts. This consists, in the former, of a iiexible coupling, a, 011e section of which is connected with the post-picket 16, by a hinged clamp, 15, and the other section is hinged or pivoted to said clamp by abolt, 16', extendingthrough apairof ears, 15, on theinner ends of the two pieces which form thepart 15 of the coupling a, and through the hole in 1i, pivoted between them. This latter section, 14, is in two separable parts, d ivided horizon tally, and the upper and under halves are secured together by a vertical bolt, 17, extending centrally through it between the rail ends 3, as seen in Figs. 1 and 2. The pivotal conneetion of this piece allows the rails 3 to beinelined to any required degree, irrespective of the position of the post-picket 16. The ears 15', extending from section 15,leaveasufcient space for the insertion of the section 14 between them, and to allow of an upward or a downward inclination of the fence-panel, as seen at the two opposite ends of the latter in Fig. 1. Section 14 is in two (upper and lower) parts, which, when united, forma hole, b, for the transverse bolt 16,which connects the sections of the coupling a. Asthese connections are all held together bybolts they can be easily disconnected, to facilitate repairs.

The separable clip-band c (seen in perspective in Fig. 9) is specially designed to be used in case one of the clip bands seen in the panel, Figs. l and 2, should become broken, as it can be applied easily without the necessity of disturbing any of the other members ofthe felice, requiring only the removal of the broken band and its substitution therefor. rlhis band is in two (upper and lower) sections,

12', and is divided horizontally. Each section is made to embrace one-half the rails, and to prevent any movement of the latter in clamping it on, an inwardly-extending iiange, c, at right angles with its top and under surfaces at each end,separatesthetworail-sections. These ilanges almost meet in the middle, leaving a square hole upon either side, through whichA the rails extend. A bolt, c', secures the two halves together. In case the ends of the rails should at any time meet in the line of the panel between the posts, they are connected by a plain clip-band, d, which is also intwo (upper and lower) sections similar to the band c. 'Instead, however, of having the end flanges extending between the rails, two triangular lugs, 11, extend inward from both of the sections, on either side of the bolthole in the center. These serve to keep the rail-sections in position when' the piece is bolted together' in the same manner as the two sections of c.

To provide forthe ornament-frame, slots 10 are cut longitudinally and vertically in the ends of each of the two sections S, into which the framebars of the ornaments extend, and in which they move in case the rail is inelined,as before stated. The ornaments lhave loops or lugs 4, extending diagonally toward the inner sides of the rear rail, converging toward the center of this rail, and having their points 4 beveled upon either side, and also upon the rear side, to iit the inclined sides of the rail upon which they rest. This construction is given to allow of the angle of the rail being the pivotal center of the picket, and allowing the ornament to pivot also as near possible to this center, thereby making the operation ot' adjusting the entire panel much easier than could be done ii' the rails were i'lat or T-shape, with plane upper and under surfaces,which necessarily separate the bearings ofthe ornament very much farther from the pivotal center.

In the `adjustment of the fence-panel the points of the lugs or loops i of the ornament are exactly centered with the engaging rail and picket-rod, as seen in cross-lines, Fig. 6, and dotted lines, Figs. .5 and allowing the panel to be adjusted by the hands, by setting it upon the ground upright, grasping the end picket at the top and pushing (in line with the rails) in the direction toward which the inclination is desired to be given.

The cross-tie D, which connects the line-' post C with the rails, in the line of thelatter, is pivoted in the middle upon the horizontal cross-piece 6, which allows of the adjustment being made upon the post. It consists ofthe pieces 7, which are horizontally divided, as vshown in the view, Fig. 8, the upper and lower sections being alike, and held together by vertical bolts (with nuts) 7 on either side of the cross-piece 6, which is clamped to the uprights 5 of the line-post, on each side of the linepiece 7. The cross-piece 6 is also in two sections, divided vertically, being hinged to one of the uprights 5, and secured to the other by a bolt. It is cylindrical (when fastened together) in the middle portion, which cxtends through plates 7. These have grooves in them across the center, similar to those in section 14, which form a hole for the cylindrical portion 6', as seen, where the top section of plate 7 is broken out in Fig. 7. This al- IIO to pivot thereon in adjusting to grade.

.293,673 i j e lows of the plates 7 and the connecting-rails At each end of the plates 7, above and below, are notches 9, between the rails,which correspond with and are in line with the notches (seen in t-he view Fig. 1) in the clip-band 12, formed by the sprockets "or prongs 5', to admit the circular bars of the ornament-frames 1, and

to allow them to move therein during the operation of adjustment. The .line-pestis a single bar of iron, bent in the center to forni the top. its two uprights, 5, being perpendicular, and bent outward and downward to form the base. Between them, and below the groundline, (where the post C is broken,) are fastened the cross-braces 18.-'These have their opposite ends fastened to the upright upon either side, vcrossing each other .in the central vertical line of the post. The two upper ends `are fastened at the point where the upright-s diverge, as they extend downward, and the two lower ends are fastened to the uprights about a foot below them. The fastening-clamp 19 is shown in edetail, Fig. 11, and consists of two plates hinged at the outer end and bolted.

together at the inner or opposite end, and having a cavity, 19', within the inner endV to admit the end of the brace 1S, and to allow of its adjustment therein. enough to allow somel movement of the end of the brace. The end of the 'latter is provided with a notch, 21, which engages with aflange, 20, on the inner edge of the clamp, and prevents the pieces from becoming detached when the clamp is bolted together.

By securing the clamps at the lower ends of the braces and loosening the upper ones, the latter -can bepushed downward toward the former, thus forcing the uprights apart and widening the space between their foot-pieces, and by extending the clamps higher upon the post-uprights the opposite will be. the result. This mode of bracing the post not only adds greatly to i'ts strength, but also aids in the ad- 45 justmentof the uprights to a perpendicular when they may be inclined.

A foot, of disk-shape,'22, is attached to .the lower ends of the uprights, which may be either riveted upon the uprights or otherwise secured thereon. 4

I am aware that picket-ornaments having their framebars bearing upon the flanges above and below the rail have been used, and I do not claim these as any part of my invention. Such a niode of securing the picket and rail has been applied to punched-rail fences; but I am not aware that a picket-ornament interposed between the two lrail-sections of a double-rail fence, the rails of which are square in their cross-section, and having its bearings upon the inner sides of the rear rail on opp'osite sides of the angle ofthe same, has been before used.

I therefore claim as my inventionl. In an iron fence having double-rail sections, as described, pickets between said rail- The hole 19 is large sections, and. notched clip-bands between the pickets, for securing the rails and pickets together, the combination, withv said pickets, rails, and bands, of thc ornament-frames having their concentric bars extending in the central line-between the rails, and engaging lwith the notches in said clip-bands, which operate as guides to keep the ornaments in line between the rails, and to retain the pickets upon their pivotal centers during the operation of adjustment, substantially as set forth.

2. In an iron fence having double rails square in their cross-section, and the intermediate picket-rod pivotally centered upon the inner angles of said rails, and adapted for adjustment thereto, as described, the combinati-on therewith of an ornament having its frame-bars between the rail-sections 4concentric to said pivotal center, and a clip-band notched in either side at the center, with which said frame-bars engage, and which operates as a guide for the same in adjusting the fencepanel, as set forth.

3. In a double-rail iron-fence, with its rails square in their cross-section, and having pickets of the same form between the rail-sections` and pivotally engaged therewith, the ornaV 1 having the points of the loop-bars beveled downward and inward to-t the inclined sides of the rail on either. side of theA angle of the same, substantially as set forth.-

4. In a double-rail iron-fence panel having the picket and its ornament pivoted between IOO the rail-sections, the combination, with the rails and ornament-bars, of a clip-band provided with sprockets, between which said ornament-bars are allowed to move in adjusting the fence-panel, substantially as set forth.

5'. A IiieXible connection for the attachment ot' the rails of an iron fence to the line or terminal post thereof, having that part attached to the rails pivoted to the section attached to the post, to allow it to conform to the adjustment of said rails when inclined either 'upward or downward, substantially as set forth.

6. In a double-rail-fence Apanel for an iron fence, the flexible clamp-connections c, for attaching the rail ends of the panel to the terniinalpost, consisting of the hinged section 15, having the ears 15', extending therefrom, and the section 14, (attached to the ends of the rails of the panel,') pivoted between said them, to adapt it for the engagement therewith l the two sections,

of the circular frame-bars of the ornament of a picket pivoted between said rail-sections in the central longitudinal line thereof, as set forth.

S. A cross-tie connection for a line-post for adjustable iron fences, having the section which incloses the rail ends horizontally divisible and pivoted upon the transverse section which connects the two uprights of the post, said transverse section being eylind rieal in the middle part, to provide for the adjustment of the fence to grade, substantially as set forth.

9. The combination, with the'line-post, having uprights 5 and section 6 attached to and connecting said uprights, of the two-part section 7, pivoted upon said section 6 and adapted to operate in connection therewith in the adjustment of the fence to grade, substantially as set forth.

10. In an adjustable iron feneehavingatwopart section connecting the rail ends to the post, the combination, with said two-part seetion, of the transverse cross-piece having a cylindrical middle part adapted to pivot said section, and vertical bolts extending` through the latter 011 eitherside of said cross-piece, for securing` the section and rail ends together.

11. A cross-tie plate for the line-post of an iron fence, having a fixed part extending transversely across the fence-line, and connecting the uprights ofthe post, and having a movable part extending across said fixed part, inclosing the connecting rail ends, and centrally pivoted upon the iixed part, to allow of the adjustment to grade of the connecting fence-panels, as set forth.

12. The combination, in a double-rail fence, ofthe cross-tie plate attached to the linepost, and provided at either end with notches to adapt it to engage with the frame ofthe ornament, and to allow of the adjustment of the latter therein, as set forth-,

13. In a double-rail iron fence having pickets and their ornament-frames pivotally eentered between the rail-sections, the separable splicing-band, horizontally divided, and hav` ing the triangular divisions upon the inside of andthe slots in its ends, to adapt it for coupling the rails, and allowing of the adjustment of the engaging picket, substantially as set forth.

11. In a line-post for a double-rail iron fence, the two bent uprights 5, having the arched or bent top, and extending perpendieularly from thence to the ground-line, from which they diverge in a curved line outward, and then extend downward, terminating in fiat diskshaped feet 22, and having their uprights connected at the rail-line by cross-tie plates, and below the ground-line by the cross-braces and their adjustable clamping attachments, as and lfor the purpose set forth.

15. In a line-post for a double-rail fence, the cross-braces having their alternate ends secured to the two uprights of the same by the clamp-plates, and adapted for adjustment upon said uprights, substantially as and for the purpose hercinbefore set forth.

16. In an iron fence having doubleArail sections, and adapted for adjustment, as described, the line-post C, having the cross-tie eonnections D for coupling the ends of the rails together, and allowing their adjustment theref with, and the continuous-rail bar forming the two perpendicular uprights and the base ofthe same in a single piece, and having the crossbraces 1S, and the clamp-plates 19, by which their ends are secured to the uprights of the post, below the ground-line, and by which said braces are made adjustable, all arranged substantially as set forth.

17. A two-part clamp-plate for securing a brace to a line-post, provided with a cavity for the insertion of the end of the brace, and a fiange at the lower edge of said cavity, in combination with a brace having a notch in one side of the end, engaging'with said Hange, and adapted to be adjusted by the movement of the clamp-plate upon the rod of then pri ght, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

TIMOTHY ROGER'.

IVitnesses:

B. C. CoNvnRsn, G. M, GnrDLnY. 

